Welcome back to my new series of player previews for the 2024 NFL season, leading up to training camp. The Chicago Bears have a new quarterback and a mix of familiar faces on both offense and defense. Although the expectations aren’t as high as some seasons, they’re still quite optimistic given the team’s talent. In this series, I’ll provide quick previews and my season projections for many key players. Today we will focus on Bears TE Cole Kmet. Can Kmet continue to build on his breakout season in 2023?
Cole Kmet
2023 Stats: 73 Receptions (Tied 34th) | 719 yards (51st) | 6 TD (Tied-18th)
Cole Kmet has received some criticism on football Twitter (X), but he was essentially the Bears’ second-leading receiver in 2023. Kmet also had two games last season—against the Falcons and Raiders—where he didn’t record any receptions or yards. Additionally, he missed the entire second half of the game against the Cardinals after putting up 107 yards in the first half. Kind of crazy to think about where he would be if those outliers/injury did not happen. The 25-year-old tight end signed a four-year, $50 million contract extension this off-season, and I believe he is worth every penny.
2024 Projected Stats: 80 Receptions | 809 yards | 7 TD
Post extension, I believe Cole Kmet will play the best football of his career. Bears’ new offensive coordinator, Shane Waldron, loves to utilize tight ends, so I’m confident Kmet will have an even bigger season despite the competition for touches on offense. He is likely to become a favorite target for rookie quarterback Caleb Williams.
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I know you are capable, now do it against single coverage.
I for one do hope for Kmet to have a breakout year at last so to earn every penny of that stingy $50,000,000 contract, especially by slipping tackles or bullying over those defenders. This should be the year to do so.